Guidewire clamp and introducer

ABSTRACT

A guidewire for medical procedures can be maintained in a coiled configuration with a clamp. Multiple clamped and coiled guidewires may be stored in a fluid-filled, storage bowl concurrently. Different clamps may have different colors to differentiate the clamps and clamped guidewires. The clamps may be markable to provide additional differentiation. The clamps can further comprise a guidewire introduction funnel and/or a guidewire torquer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/005,210, filed Jan. 25, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Nos. 62/140,138, filed Mar. 30, 2015,62/121,695, filed Feb. 27, 2015 and 62/107,962, filed Jan. 26, 2015, thecontents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to medical devices and methods,particularly for the storage of guidewires suitable for use in variousmedical procedures and for the introduction of these guidewires into theproximal hubs of catheters.

The following references may be of interest: U.S. Publication Nos.2014/0259821, 2014/0171833, 2013/0292365, and 2012/0227751 and U.S. Pat.Nos. 8,679,065, 8,480,597, 7,886,906, 7,144,402, 6,047,825, 5,830,183,5,279,573, 4,707,906, and D329698.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to medical devices and methods,particularly for the storage of guidewires suitable for use in variousmedical procedures. During a medical procedure, for example, guidewiresmay be coiled and temporarily stored in one or more fluid-filled bowls.In many medical procedures, a single guidewire is used or multipleguidewires may be used concurrently. In such procedures, one or multipleguidewires may be stored between re-use during the same procedure in acoiled configuration where the stiff end of the guidewire is loopedunder the coiled guidewire loops to secure the loops. However, thistechnique may often fail as the loops can uncoil spontaneously or can beuncoiled when a medical practitioner attempts to identify and retrieve aspecific guidewire from the bowl. With one or more of the coiled wiresbecoming uncoiled, the guidewire(s) may unravel, straighten, andspontaneously spring out of the sterile fluid filled bowl, becomingpotentially contaminated and contaminating the sterile environment. Inat least some cases, particularly in a small and crowded fluid filledstorage bowl, a medical practitioner may confuse one guidewire withanother. Such confusion may be problematic where one guidewire suitablefor one application becomes used in a different application. Disclosedherein are devices and methods to temporarily store guidewires in animproved manner so as to address some of these disadvantages.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide color-coded and markableclamps for maintaining a guidewire in a coiled configuration when placedin a storage bowl. Clamps with different coloring and/or differentmarkings made thereon may be used with different guidewires of variousdiameters and/or design or performance characteristics. The differentclamps can help a medical practitioner quickly and easily identify anddifferentiate between different guidewires in a multi-wire environment.

Aspects of the present disclosure may provide a method of storing one ormore guidewires. A guidewire may be wrapped into a coiled configuration.In the coiled configuration, the guidewire may have a coiled portion anda free end portion. The free end portion may comprise a stiff end of theguidewire. The free end portion may be wrapped under the coiled portion.A color-coded, markable clamp may be placed over the free end portionsand/or a part of the coiled portion. The clamp may maintain theguidewire in the coiled configuration. The guidewire and clamp placedthereover may be placed in a fluid-filled storage bowl. The method maybe repeated for a second or further guidewire to be placed in the sameor different storage bowl. To distinguish the guidewires, the second orfurther clamp may have a different color than the first guidewire or maybe marked in a different manner. In some embodiments, the first and/orsecond portion or jaw of the clamp may comprise an introducer shaped asa funnel. The funnel may lead to a straight guidewire lumen which leadsto a tip tapered on the outside. The tip may be coupled to the hub of acatheter for the introduction of shaped tipped or other guidewires intothe inner lumen of the catheter. The first, second, or other guidewiremay have a diameter matching the color coding, marking, or labelling ofthe clamp; and, the lumen of the funnel of the clamp may have a diametermatching that of the guidewire. In this manner, a guidewire of apreselected size can be stored and introduced to a catheter with thesame clamp or clamp structure. Further, a grasping mechanism may beactuated to secure the first guidewire relative to the funnel structureof the first clamp to allow the entire structure to function as aguidewire torque device or torquer.

Aspects of the present disclosure may also provide a clamp forfacilitating guidewire storage. The clamp may comprise a first portion,a second portion, and a pivotable portion therebetween. The first andsecond portions may be folded or pivoted relative to one another aboutthe pivotable portion to open or close the clamp. The first and secondportions may comprise upper surfaces which may approximate or come intocontact with one another when the clamp is closed. The upper surface ofone or more of the first or second portions may comprise surfacefeatures to facilitate the capture of the guidewire. For example, theupper surfaces may comprise teeth or be ridged. Alternatively or incombination, the upper surfaces may comprise a high friction material orcoating such as rubber, latex, teflon, silicone, or other polymer. Thematerial or coating may be compliant to minimize any damage that mayoccur to the guidewire as it is clamped. The material and/or coating maybe colored and/or may be markable such as with a pen or marker. Where acoating is used, the clamp upper or lower portions may comprise a coremade of a harder material such as hardened rubber, silicone, or otherpolymer. Alternatively, the clamp may be in a single, integral piecemade of the high friction and/or compliant material.

The clamp may further comprise a first end coupled to the first portionand a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the secondportion. The first and second ends may be removably coupled to oneanother. For example, the first and second ends may form a latchmechanism. The first end may comprise one or more teeth to capture thesecond end when the first and second portions are folded or pivotedrelative to one another to close the clamp. These teeth may bede-coupled from the second end so that the first and second portions canbe folded or pivoted relative to one another to open the clamp.Alternatively or in combination, the first end may have a series ofapertures or openings to capture the second end.

The clamp may further comprise a guidewire introducer coupled to one ormore of the first or second portions. The guidewire introducer may beremovably coupled to a main body of the clamp. The guidewire introducermay have a guidewire lumen, an open proximal funnel end to receive aguidewire and direct it into the guidewire lumen, and a distal taperedtip to couple with a proximal hub of a catheter. The guidewireintroducer may further comprise a grasping mechanism to secure theguidewire received in the guidewire lumen.

Aspects of the present disclosure may also provide a kit forfacilitating guidewire storage. The kit may include a first clamp and asecond clamp. The clamps may be as described as above. The first clampmay have a first color and the second clamp may have a second colordifferent from the first color. One or more of the first or secondclamps may be markable. The kit may further include a storage bowl forthe guidewires and a set of instructions. One or more of the first orsecond clamps may comprise a funnel structure integral with its first orsecond portion or jaw. The funnel structure may have a tip configured tobe coupled to a hub of a catheter of the same internal diameter asmarked or indicated by the respective clamp. The funnel structure mayfurther comprise a grasper mechanism to secure a guidewire received inthe funnel structure. Alternatively or in combination, the funnelstructure may be a separate device to be removably coupled to the mainbody of the one or more clamps.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the present disclosure are set forth withparticularity in the appended claims. It should be noted that thedrawings are not to scale and are intended only as an aid in conjunctionwith the explanations in the following detailed description. In thedrawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts.The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elementsand angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements arearbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are notintended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of theparticular elements, and have been solely selected for ease ofrecognition in the drawings. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference tothe following detailed description that sets forth illustrativeembodiments, in which the principles of the present disclosure areutilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a guidewire clamp according to manyembodiments.

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the guidewire clamp of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows a side view toothed extension of an end of the guidewireclamp of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D shows a magnified side view of an embodiment of the toothed jawsof the guidewire clamp of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E shows a magnified side view of an embodiment of the toothed jawsof the guidewire clamp of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1F shows a side view of the guidewire clamp of FIG. 1A closed tograsp multiple loops of a guidewire.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show perspective views of guidewires maintained in acoiled configuration by a guidewire clamp, according to manyembodiments.

FIG. 3A shows a side section view of a guidewire clamp with a built-inguidewire introducer funnel, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 3B shows a top section view of the guidewire clamp of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C shows a perspective section view of the guidewire clamp of FIG.3A.

FIG. 3D shows a back view of the guidewire clamp of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E shows a top section view of the guidewire clamp of FIG. 3A,highlighting the proximal end of the introducer funnel, according tomany embodiments.

FIG. 3F shows a back section view of the guidewire clamp of FIG. 3A,highlighting the proximal end of the introducer funnel.

FIG. 4A shows a top section view of a single piece guidewire clamp withan integrated introducer funnel and torquer, according to manyembodiments.

FIG. 4B shows a back section view of the single piece guidewire clamp ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A shows a top section view of a two piece guidewire clamp with adetachable introducer funnel and torquer, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 5B shows a back section view of the two piece guidewire clamp ofFIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A shows a top section view of another two piece guidewire clampwith a detachable introducer funnel and torquer, according to manyembodiments.

FIG. 6B shows a back section view of the two piece guidewire clamp ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A shows a top section view of another guidewire introducer funneland torquer in an open configuration, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of the guidewire introducer funneland torquer of FIG. 7A in the open configuration.

FIG. 7C shows a top section view of the guidewire introducer funnel andtorquer of FIG. 7A in a closed configuration, according to manyembodiments.

FIG. 7D shows a cross-sectional view of the guidewire introducer funneland torquer of FIG. 7A in the closed configuration.

FIG. 8A shows a top section view of another guidewire introducer funneland torquer in an open configuration, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 8B shows a cross-sectional view of the guidewire introducer funneland torquer of FIG. 8A in 8A in the open configuration.

FIG. 8C shows a top section view of the guidewire introducer funnel andtorquer of FIG. 8A in a closed configuration.

FIG. 8D shows a cross-sectional view of the guidewire introducer fundand torquer of FIG. 8A in the closed configuration.

FIG. 9A shows a top section view of another guidewire introducer funneland torquer in an open configuration, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 9B shows a top section view of the guidewire introducer funnel andtorquer of FIG. 9A in a closed configuration.

FIG. 10A shows a top section view of another guidewire introducer funneland torquer in an open configuration, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 10B shows a top section view of the guidewire introducer funnel andtorquer of FIG. 10A in a closed configuration.

FIG. 11A shows a top section view of another guidewire introducer funneland torquer in an open configuration, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 11B shows a top section view of the guidewire introducer funnel andtorquer of FIG. 11A in a closed configuration.

FIG. 12A shows a top section view of another guidewire introducer funneland torquer in an open configuration, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 12B shows a top section view of the guidewire introducer funnel andtorquer of FIG. 12A in a closed configuration.

FIG. 13A shows a side view of another guidewire clamp in a closedconfiguration, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 13B shows a side view of the guidewire clamp of FIG. 13A in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of teeth configurations for aguidewire clamp, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 15A shows a perspective view of another guidewire clamp capturingmultiple loops of a guidewire, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 15B shows a top view of the guidewire clamp of FIG. 15A in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 15C shows a top view of the guidewire clamp of FIG. 15B in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 16A shows a bottom view of the jaw of a guidewire clamp comprisinga crushable, “thin” membrane, according to many embodiments.

FIG. 16B shows a side view of the jaw of the guidewire clamp of FIG.16A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1F shows various views of a guidewire clamp 100 according tomany embodiments. The guidewire clamp 100 may comprise two jaws—an upperjaw 110 and a lower jaw 120—that may be closed against one another totrap a coiled guidewire GW between the teeth of the jaws 110, 120 (FIG.1F). As shown in FIG. 1B, the guidewire clamp 100 may be about 1.0 toabout 1.5 cm in length, about 1.0 to about 1.5 cm in height, and about2.5 cm in total width when closed. The teeth 130 of the jaws 110, 120may fit with one another when closed (FIG. 1D) or may oppose one another(FIG. 1E). The jaws 110, 120 may pivot relative to one another about apivot region 135, which may be relatively thin, toothless, and flexible(FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1F). The lower jaw 120 may comprise an extension 120 awhich may comprise one or more teeth 123 and which may be curved towardthe end 110 a of the upper jaw 110 when the jaws 110, 120 are movedtoward one another such as in the direction of arrow 103 (FIG. 1A). Atooth pair of the extension 120 a may lock onto the extension 110 a andthe tooth pair may be selected to determine how tightly the jaws 110,120 are locked with one another. The extension 120 a may be peeled awayfrom the end 110 a such as in a direction 106 (FIG. 1B) to de-couple theends of the jaws 110, 120 from one another. Alternatively or incombination, the upper jaw 110 may have an extension with teeth to lockonto the end of the lower jaw 120.

In some embodiments, the guidewire clamp 100 may lack teeth for the topand/or bottom jaw. The guidewire clamp 100 may be made of variousmaterials, such as a soft rubber, teflon, or other polymers. The entireguidewire clamp 100 may be made of a single material or of a combinationof various materials. The guidewire clamp 100 may be color coded and/orcomprise a markable surface for identification. A plurality of theguidwire clamps 100 may be provided in a kit, where different guidewireclamps of the kit for different diameter guidewires may have differentcolors. In some embodiments, the clamp 100 may further comprise anintegral guidewire introducer lumen or funnel with a diameter matchingthat of the guidewire the clamp 100 is color coded or marked toidentify. In some embodiments, the clamp 100 may further comprise anintegral guidewire torque device or torquer as a part of the guidewireintroducer lumen or funnel.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show guidewires GW maintained in a coiled configurationby the guidewire clamp 100, according to many embodiments. The guidewireGW may be formed into a configuration with multiple, circular loops withopposite first and second ends that are straight. The guidewire clamp100 may grasp the guidewire GW at the circular loops.

FIG. 3A shows a side section view of an embodiment of the guidewireclamp 100 with a built-in guidewire introducer funnel or funnelstructure 300, according to many embodiments; FIG. 3B shows the topsection view of the same; FIG. 3C shows the perspective section view ofthe same; FIG. 3D shows the back view of the same; FIG. 3E shows a topsection view of the same; and FIG. 3F shows a back view of the same. Atthe proximal end near the flexible region 140, the funnel structure 300may have a raised funnel ridge or rim 310 to facilitate introduction ofthe guidewire GW into a straight, central lumen 330 of the funnelstructure 300. The diameter of the straight, central lumen may match thediameter of the guidewire the clamp is color-coded, marked, or otherwiselabeled for. At the distal end, the funnel structure 300 may comprise atapered tip 320 which may couple to a proximal hub of a catheter and itsinner lumen. A guidewire GW can be advanced through the lumen of thefunnel structure 300 to introduce the guidewire GW to the hub and innerlumen of the catheter. As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the funnel structure300 may be located on a side of the bottom or top jaws 110, 120,respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F, the proximal end of thefunnel structure 300 may include a raised funnel ridge or rim 310 todirect the guidewire GW, the leading tip of which is often curved, intothe straight, central lumen.

The guidewire clamp 100 as in FIGS. 3A-3F may be suitable for aguidewire GW of a pre-selected size. The guidewire clamp 100 may becolor coded, marked, or otherwise labelled to indicate its suitabilityfor the guidewire GW of the pre-selected size. The funnel structure 300of the guidewire clamp 100, including its central lumen 330 and distaltip 320, may have a size suitable for the guidewire GW to be advancedtherethrough to be introduced into a catheter hub and lumen.

FIGS. 4A-12B show further embodiments of the guidewire clamp 100. Theguidewire clamp 100 may comprise the guidewire introducer 300 which mayalso serve as a guidewire introducer/torquer component with the aid ofslider compression assembly 400. The guidewire clamp device 100 and/orthe guidewire introducer and/or the guidewire introducer/torquercomponent 300 may have a rounded or rectangular cross sectional area.The funnel tips 310 of the guidewire introducer and/or the guidewireintroducer/torquer 300 may have a smaller cross-sectional area than themain body of the guidewire clamp 100 and may be spaced apart from themain body.

The individual introducer and introducer/torquer components can be anintegral part of the guidewire clamp device 100 (FIGS. 4A, 4B) or may bedetachable through couplings 500 or clasps 600 and functionindependently (FIGS. 5A-6B and FIGS. 6A-6B). The individual introducerand introducer/torquer devices 300 may be made available/sold as anindependent introducer device or an independent introducer/torque device300 without the guidewire clamp 100 (FIGS. 7A-12B). A simple introducer300 (for example, without a torquer function) may be an integral part ofthe guidewire clamp 100, or be made detachable and functionindependently.

Also provided may be assemblies and components to grasp a guidewire GWin the introducer devices 300, allowing them to also function as atorquer. Various assemblies and components in various combinations aredescribed below. Such components may include: a screw assembly tocompress the jaws, jaws compressible by a screw mechanism, a slidercompression assembly which may press against a thin walled compressibleelastic memory dilator or an elastic memory membrane (either or both ofwhich may be a metal or a synthetic plastic) to grab the guidewire, by aslider compression assembly, or a thin walled compressible elasticmemory dilator which may be pressed against the guidewire by a slidercompression assembly. This dilator may be packaged already inserted intothe funnel component of the guidewire clamp device, or packagedseparately to be better protected until use, when it is slipped into theguidewire lumen of the guidewire clamp device. It may be held securelyin place by a ridge that snaps into a corresponding grove in theintroducer body. The introducer device 300 may have variouscross-sectional shapes such as circular, ovoid, rectangular, square, ortriangular, to name a few.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a guidewire clamp device 100 which may beprovided as a single piece device.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a guidewire clamp device 100 which may beprovided as a two piece device, with a detachable guidewire introducerand torquer component 300.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a guidewire clamp device 100 which isprovided as a two piece device, with a detachable guidewire introducerand torquer component 300.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate a slider 400 and an elastic memory membraneassembly 700 to grab the guidewire GW to serve as the introducer/torquedevice 300. The elastic memory membrane 700 can provide a continuousuninterrupted path for the guidewire GW (including curved tipped andother guidewires) free of obstruction. The slider compression assembly400 may comprise a “click stop” so the button of the slider compressionassembly 400 may be pressed to lock the membrane 700.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a slider 400 and a thin walled compressibleelastic memory dilator 800 to grab the guidewire to serve as theintroducer/torque device 300. The thin walled compressible elasticmemory dilator 300 can provide a continuous uninterrupted path for theguidewire GW (including curved tipped and other guidewires) free ofobstruction.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate a screw/jaws assembly 900 in the introducer tip320 and a thin walled compressible elastic memory dilator 910 to grabthe guidewire GW to serve as the introducer/torque device 300. The thinwalled compressible elastic memory dilator 900 can provide a continuousuninterrupted path for the guidewire GW (including curved tipped andother guidewires) free of obstruction. The thin walled compressibleelastic dilator 910 may be glued to the full length of theintroducer/torque body guidewire lumen 330.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a screw/jaws assembly 1000 in theintroducer tip 310 and a thin walled compressible elastic memory dilator1010 to grab the guidewire GW to serve as the introducer/torque device300. The thin walled compressible elastic memory dilator 1010 canprovide a continuous uninterrupted path for the guidewire GW (includingcurved tipped and other guidewires) free of obstruction. The screw/jawsassembly 1000 may comprise a knurled knob 1020 to turn the funnel bodyinto the screw jaws assembly 1000 and thereby tighten the jaws to “grab”the guidewire GW.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a screw/jaws assembly 1100 in the funnel tograb the guidewire GW to serve as an introducer/torquer device 300. Thescrew/jaws assembly 1100 may comprise a thin walled compressible elasticmemory dilator 1110, a knurled knob 1120 to turn the screw-jaws assembly1100 into the funnel body 300 and thereby tighten the jaws to “grab” theguidewire GW, sets of jaws 1130, and a screw 1140 to interface with thejaws 1130.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a screw/jaws assembly 1200 in the funnel tograb the guidewire GW to serve as an introducer/torque device 300. Thescrew/jaws assembly 1200 may comprise a knurled knob 1220 to turn thescrew-jaws assembly 1200 into the funnel body 300 and thereby tightenthe jaws to “grab” the guidewire GW, sets of jaws 1230, and a screw 1240to interface with the jaws 1230.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A and 13B, a guidewire clamp 1300 may define anopening 1310 through which a separate guidewire introducer/torquer 300may be grasped. The guidewire clamp 1300 may comprise a first toothedjaw 1320 and a second toothed jaw 1330, each with graspable ends 1320 a,1330 a, respectively, which may extend outward to be manipulated. Theguidewire clamp 1300 may further comprise a flexible middle portion 1340which the first and second toothed jaws 1320 and 1330 can pivot about.In many embodiments, the guidewire clamp 1300 is biased to be in theclosed position shown by FIG. 13A.

Referring to FIG. 14, the jaws 1410 of the guidewire clamps mayinterface with one another in many ways to graph a guidewire GW. Forexample, teeth 1400 a may comprise semi-circular cut-outs which define apassageway sized and shaped to bundle of loops of the guidewire GW whenthe jaws are closed. Alternatively or in combination, teeth 1400 b maycomprise linear teeth with complimentary pairs of teeth defining apassageway for a single loop of the guidewire GW such that the loops ofthe guidewire GW are spread linearly side to side.

FIG. 15 shows a guidewire claim 1500. The guidewire clamp 1500 maycomprise a plurality of ribs 1510. Loops of the guidewire GW may be heldin-between the ribs 1510. The guidewire clamp 1500 may comprise a gap1520. The guidewire clamp 1500 may further comprise end tabs 1530 a and1530 b, and the end tab 1530 a may be advanced through the gap 1520(FIG. 15C.) One or more of the ribs 1510 may facilitate closure andlocking of the end tab 1530 a through the gap 1520 (FIG. 15C.) Theguidewire clamp 1500 may be flexible such that the end tab 1530 a may bebent, pulled, or otherwise manipulated in the manner shown (FIGS. 15B,15C.)

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the guidewire clamps described hereinmay be constructed of a crushable, “thin” membrane 1600. The crushable“thin” membrane may cover the teeth 1400 a and/or the teeth 1400 b ofthe jaw 1410. The crushable, “thin” membrane 1600 may be deformed by thecoils of the guidewire and may atraumatically “mold” around the coils tosecure them in the semi-circular openings of the teeth 1400 a and/or theteeth 1400 b. The crushable, “thin” membrane 1600 may be molded as partof the entire clamp of the same material, may be present in the entire“semicircle” (teeth 1400 a and/or teeth 1400 b) of the jaw 1410, mayreach only part way from the trough of the teeth 1400 a and/or the teeth1400 b to the edge of the jaw 1410, and/or may be present in both theupper and lower jaws or in just one.

While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shownand described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the artthat such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments ofthe present disclosure described herein may be employed in practicingthe present disclosure. It is intended that the following claims definethe scope of the invention and that methods and structures within thescope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of storing one or more guidewires, themethod comprising: providing a first clamp comprising a first portion, asecond portion, and a pivotable portion therebetween, wherein the firstand second portions are foldable or pivotable relative to one anotherabout the pivotable portion to open or close the first clamp, andwherein the first and second portions comprise upper surfaces configuredto approximate or contact one another when the first clamp is closed andto facilitate capture of a first guidewire between the upper surfaces ofthe first and second portions; wrapping the first guidewire into acoiled configuration, the first guidewire in the coiled configurationhaving a coiled portion and a free end portion; closing the first clampover the coiled portion of the first guidewire such that one or moreguidewire loops of the coiled portion of the first guidewire arecaptured by one or more surface features of the upper surfaces of thefirst clamp, the one or more surface features comprising teeth, ridges,or ribs sized and shaped to accommodate the one or more guidewire loops,and a high friction material or coating, the high friction material orcoating being soft and compliant so as to minimize damage to a guidewirecaptured by the one or more surface features; and placing the closedfirst clamp and first guidewire into a fluid-filled storage bowl.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: providing a second clampcomprising a first portion, a second portion, and a pivotable portiontherebetween, wherein the first and second portions are foldable orpivotable relative to one another about the pivotable portion to open orclose the second clamp, and wherein the first and second portionscomprise upper surfaces configured to approximate or contact one anotherwhen the second clamp is closed and to facilitate capture of a secondguidewire between the upper surfaces of the first and second portions;wrapping the second guidewire into a coiled configuration, the secondguidewire in the coiled configuration having a coiled portion and a freeend portion; closing the second clamp over the coiled portion of thesecond guidewire such that one or more guidewire loops of the coiledportion of the second guidewire are captured by one or more surfacefeatures of the upper surfaces of the second clamp, the one or moresurface features comprising teeth, ridges, or ribs sized and shaped toaccommodate the one or more guidewire loops, the one or more surfacefeatures comprising the high friction material or coating, said highfriction material or coating being soft and compliant so as to minimizedamage to a guidewire captured by the one or more surface features; andplacing the closed second clamp and second guidewire into thefluid-filled storage bowl.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein one or moreof the first or second clamps are markable.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising coupling a funnel structure to the first clamp andadvancing the first guidewire through the funnel structure to introducethe first guidewire into a lumen of the catheter.
 5. The method of claim4, further comprising coupling the funnel structure to a hub of acatheter before advancing the first guidewire through the funnelstructure to introduce the first guidewire into the lumen of thecatheter.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising actuating agrasping mechanism to secure the first guidewire relative to the funnelstructure.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the funnel structure isdetachable from a main body of the first clamp.
 8. The method of claim4, wherein the funnel structure is integral with a main body of thefirst clamp.
 9. The method of claim 2, wherein the first clamp has afirst color and the second clamp has a second color different from thefirst color.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first guidewire iscaptured by one or more surface features of the upper surfaces of thefirst clamp, the one or more surface features comprising a soft membraneover at least a portion of the one or more surface features.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising coupling the first portion and thesecond portion to one another with an extension of the first or secondportion disposed opposite the pivotable portion.
 12. The method of claim4, further comprising advancing the lumen of the catheter over anexterior of the funnel structure.